This relatively low precipitation permits a small haven for these unusual species. [10]) Another Revolutionary War veteran settled there in the years after the conflict, but he Charles Bleachynden had been one of the enemy: he was one of the Hessian soldiers (German mercenaries) surrendered at Yorktown in 1781 with Lord Cornwallis' forces.[11]. He helps Eagles nest out in the summer on occasion. As you leave the Smoke Hole Campgrounds, you will enter the most scenic, most historic, and most famous run in West Virginia. Canoe question - Petersburg Forum - Tripadvisor The area is rather isolated and remote with parts accessible only by boat or on foot. Canoes in our group flipped both places. Formerly, a primitive wagon road threaded its way through the lower Canyon, but most traces of this are long gone. The anticline appears to divide into several plunging folds upsection, at the Lower Devonian strata level, toward each end of the fold. Calhoun, H.M. Sr., (1926), "A Trip through Smoke Hole"; Shreve, D. Bardon, with Estyl C. Shreve (2000), Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, "Funds given to conserve Grant woodlands", "10 Real-Life Hidden Treasures you Could Stil Find", "Dillinger Gang's Buried Loot Still an Alluring Legend", "Smoke Hole canyon is a West Virginia treasure", "Virginians for Wilderness" page on "Smoke Hole Country", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smoke_Hole_Canyon&oldid=1143159034, Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States, Protected areas of Grant County, West Virginia, Protected areas of Pendleton County, West Virginia, Landforms of Pendleton County, West Virginia, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles to be expanded from September 2013, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 March 2023, at 06:22. Grant County Route 28/11 also proceeds from this intersection and traverses the northern half of the Canyon well above the river level for about 12 miles (19km) where it exits the Canyon at WV Route 55/28. Stop at blue rock as it might be the best camping spot in wv. Best North to South trip Brent to Canoe - heart of Algonquin Another classic- through the heart of Algonquin- my favorite. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Before running the rapid I took a look from the river left and noticed a NASTY STRAINER that was just below water surface extending right out in the tongue that you need to run. Canoe and Kayak trip down the South Branch Potomac, just upriver of Smoke Hole Canyon, WV in April, 2015. A smoke hole ( smokehole, smoke-hole) is a hole in a roof for the smoke from a fire to vent. We have an extensive map which has all the detail you need to plan your next adventure. This stretches along the crest of North Fork Mountain from U.S. 33 (in the south) to where the Smoke Hole Road (28/11) nears State Route 28 just west of Petersburg (in the north). Vacation home developments have already spread across four of North Fork Mountains eight highest peaks. Help the community if you have a paddling trip to share! This created a bitter legacy. The area is known for its unique rock formations, including towering cliffs and natural arches. Most of the land in the Smoke Hole is managed by the Forest Service and is open to hunting and subject to West Virginia hunting regulations. The take-out is at a public river access site in Petersburg on the north side of the 220 bridge. The 1996 flood in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia spread the seed throughout Smoke Hole, and now it is the most abundantly growing plant in the area. (304) 636-1800, Cheat-Potomac District To get to the put-in's, take 220 south for about 16 miles to Smoke Hole Rd (cr 2). [29]. it would really be nice to run that rapid versus portaging gear.there were a couple other rapids that had some nice wave trains that were fun in the canoes but took on a lot of water. This landscape contains some of the most stunning beauty found in our state, from the 11-mile long Smoke Hole gorge along the South Branch of the Potomac, to the dramatic, 4000+-ft. peaks on North Fork Mountain. Smoke Hole is a biologically diverse area classified as an upland limestone-based ecosystem. Big Bend Campground is located on a peninsula in the river and features 46 sites with hot and cold water and flush toilets from April 15 to Oct. 1. The best time to go camping in this area is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny. hudson valley. Email:alex.kew@mail.wvu.edu. Explore our work in With its rugged terrain, cascading waterfalls, and stunning vistas, this trail is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast. ? The fire grew through the first night, despite rapid response efforts by the Franklin, Seneca Rocks, and Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as crews from the USFS. [5] Almost directly across the river, and high on the hillside, is the Canyon's namesake, Smoke Hole Cave. Midwest prairies nestled within the Smoke Hole canyon. The South Branch collects a number of minor streams in the Canyon; these include Briggs Run (0.6 mile from the entrance), Dry Hollow Run (mile 1.0), Chevaux-de-fris Run (mile 3.8, at the road intersection), Short (Pack Saddle) Run (mile 5.5), Long (Feather Bed) Run (mile 5.8), and beyond the Big Bend Redman Run (mile 13.3) and Landes Hollow Run (mile 16.6). 25198 Hwy 60, Madawaska, ON; 613-637-5508 . [23], During the Great Depression, many of the few people then living in the Canyon left to find better jobs, and their homesteads were consolidated among a smaller number of landholders. See all. Fishing is extremely popular along the river throughout the canyon. Some old timers call the canyon "Smoke Holes" and claim Native Americans used the caves for smoking meat. [7] George Full built his home and a grist mill in the same vicinity. [8] The parents of Revolutionary War veteran William Eagle (17611848)[9] arrived shortly afterward. Unchecked, the plant can spread in a manner almost impossible to abate. Smoke Hole Canyon traditionally called The Smoke Holes and later simply Smoke Hole is a rugged 20 miles long gorge carved by the South Branch Potomac River in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, United States. Beyond the Big Bend, the Canyon has the character of a remote wilderness; it is one of the most isolated regions of the state and can be traversed only on foot or by boat. Warren County innovator plans canoe trip to help Arctic wildlife About 1.3 million visitors come to the Monongahela National Forest each year, and it's no surprise why. Again, the worst issue I had with the raft was pushing through all the flat water on the lower end of the run. Calhoun, H.M. Sr. (1 November 1929), "Tales of the Smoke Hole"; Reprinted (pp 151-153) in: Shreve, (2005). Phone:304.293.5076 | Smoke Hole Canyon - South Branch of the Potomac River But limestone soil is not acidic and tends to be richer in certain nutrients than are other soils, thus supporting a different type of plant life. Campsite List West Virginia provides. Due to the protective effect of surrounding mountains, rainfall in Smoke Hole is unusually light only about 30-32inches per year. Smoke Hole caves include some that are historically significant for past saltpeter mining operations Big Cave (now called Cave Mountain Cave) and Old Mines Cave as well as Peacock Cave, Patricks Cave, Blue Rock Cave, Indian House Cave, and the namesake Smoke Hole Cave. The gauge at Franklin was 264 cfs and 3.00 feet on Sunday at noon. The section is mostly class I and II rapids with two class III rapids that can be carried. Two other non-native, invasive plants seriously threaten the rare limestone plant communities in the Canyon spotted knapweed and viper's bugloss and are also the objects of Nature Conservancy abatement projects. I am researching electric bilge pumps on the smaller 12V sealed batteries for the next spring time float.Fishingcaught a few trout in the first section and didn't get to fish much of the small mouth looking waters on the last day. Sunday morning we considered putting in at Big Bend and paddling down to Petersburg through the canyon as a day trip, but that would have involved running at least 3-hours of shuttle and paddling 15 miles from Big Bend to Petersburg. Caves are common in the area. Another biological threat to the Canyon is the insect known as hemlock woolly adelgid. |. Anglins, appreciate the input. Deer and bear hunting is popular in late fall. I am getting ready to take a overnight from Big Bend down to Petersburg and I'm trying to decide canoe or 12' raft with oar frame. Anyone have any experience with water levels and rafts? The run on Saturday was low, but not intolerably scrapey considering we were paddling mostly unloaded canoes, and we had to pick our lines carefully to avoid the shallowest of the gravel bars. Smoke Hole Canyon often referred to as just Smoke Hole, is an awe-inspiring gorge spanning 20 mi (32 km) in West Virginia. The canyon is very remote for most of its length after Big Bend Campground until you get close to Petersburg. The "revenuers" destroyed many "stills" (distilleries) during this period and sent many moonshiners to the state penitentiary the typical term of incarceration was one year. The political situation in the Smoke Hole is certainly unusual; until a few years ago it was said the Smoke Hole had "only one Democrat and lightnin' killed him", but recently there has been some swing of political allegiances. Bing Maps - Directions, trip planning, traffic cameras & more Keep in mind that because this is one of the more popular places to embark on a paddling trip . If you are planning a trip to Smoke Hole Canyon be sure to consider some of the following: In addition to hiking, there are many other ways to discover this beautiful wildness. [18] One result of this was that the Smoke Holers, previously staunch Democrats (along with most antebellum Virginians), became inveterate Republicans afterward. Thank you for helping us in our efforts to protect our visitors health and well-being. The area is known for its unique rock formations, including towering cliffs and natural arches. Nearby is Big Spring, source of the water supply for Upper Tract, which discharges 1,040 gallons per minute. All the water goes left, which is where you run it, and the rebar is usually a couple of feet deep there so usually dont have to worry. Vivamus id nisl ligula. The bug coats and then kills the tree branches. The roads into the area are narrow and winding: take your time and enjoy the scenery. Two paddlers and heavy on the camping gear. We started off at Big Bend campground in the Smokehole Canyon of the Potomac River. Settlement has already eliminated over 95% of the limestone forests of eastern North America and now aggressive non-native weeds are invading the remaining patches, including one of the largest remaining blocks, found in the Smoke Hole. Despite its distance from the GTA area (about a 6-hour drive), it is a very popular area of Algonquin Park and can be quite difficult to book during the summer months. Lantz, Abraham Kile, and Isaac Ault. Chimney slide and the rapid at the old royal Glenn dam site. On Saturday at noon the Franklin gauge was reading 2.64 ft and 68 cfs. Special regulations apply to the area between Eagle Rock and Kimble Cabins (designated with signs and cables across the river). If you have any questions about this paddling location or have other relevant information that would be helpful to other paddlers, please add them as comments below for the entire community! West Virginia provides. The dry, prairie-like areas along the upper knobs and ridges of the Canyon are home to a variety of typically western plants such as prairie flax. Easily create a Forum Website with Website Toolbox. Coastal plain pine barrens atop Panther Knob. So, we opted to at least start with a day-trip on the section from the low-water bridge to the take out at Big Bend Campground, which is the end of the road into the canyon. Smoke Hole, West Virginia Trip Report. Many caves are located on private land. Large images may take a few minutes to appear. Here is a very different world from that of the sunlit surface above. The marvels even extend underground, into extensive limestone caves. Several crews, engines, and a helicopter worked to suppress the fire. The forest is a drivable distance from cities like Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, yet the density of flora, fauna and picturesque mountains seem like a world away from any city. ) or https:// means you've safely In the latter year, their encampment was washed away in a river flood. Where the name really came from is uncertain. Questions? Do you know the mile markers for those two obstacles? Smoke Hole North Fork Mountain | The Nature Conservancy Whether youre a seasoned hiker or a beginner, Smoke Hole Canyon has something for everyone. Along with occasional Saturday night jaunts to Petersburg or Franklin, one of his choicest entertainments consists of gathering in jeans-clad groups on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Shreve's store, there to discuss crops, hunting, and politics. If your URL is correct, you'll see an image preview here. [35] The earliest spring annuals to emerge in the Canyon are bloodroot, followed by the yellow dog-toothed violet. A man from Oklahoma, claiming to have been a member of Dillinger's gang, hired a local in 1965 to help him locate the legendary loot. [37] The Allegheny woodrat, which lives in rocky terrain in the Canyon, has been declining throughout much of its range due to an epidemic of roundworm infestation (acquired from raccoons), among other causes. The West Virginia Division of Forestry, in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy, acquired conservation easements to protect private woodlands near Smoke Hole in 2009. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). Directions: Big Bend constitutes an unusual "peninsula" in the river; the river here loops for about 1.3 miles back to a point just 350 feet from itself. this region. The populations of bison, elk and cougar that attracted the earliest settlers to Smoke Hole have long since gone. You could have blindfolded me and I would have swore we were out west. The biological richness of Smoke Hole's plant communities was demonstrated by a botanist in 1933 who documented 283 species of flora on the 4-acre Hermit Island alone. U.S. Pensioners, 18181872 Record for William Eagle - PRIVATE, Eagle enlisted in the Continental Line at age 15 on 24 December 1776. Over 120 rare animals, plants and natural communities have been identified in this area, making it one of the richest concentrations of biological diversity in the East. Drinking water is not available so remember to bring your own. My trip was the last weekend of April in 2017 and we had 90 degree weather so it was dropping fast. There are long sections between Blue Rock and the North Fork confluence that have the lower Potomac character i.e. a couple class II + (Landslide Rapid upstream of Blue Rock and an old dam soon after joining the North Fork. Gold Panning in West Virginia | USA Today Even though I felt like I was going to squeeze by with water I choose to take the canoe to be on the same playing field as the group. This website uses cookies to enhance your experience and analyze performance and traffic on our website. I have always wanted to canoe it, good whitewater when the river is up. Here also, at river level, is a very prominent crag Eagle Rock. In the 1990s, limestone quarrying destroyed the regions highest quality cedar glade and another quarry currently may threaten the regions most significant cave. As you can imagine, there was no shortage of help (and helpful advice) in jacking up the car and changing the tire. One winter gathering of over 100,000 bats of several species constitutes the regions largest concentration of wild mammals. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular activities. Hopefully someone local decides to cut it outwhen the water levels drop this summer. It is believed that the Canyon is the largest area of limestone forest left in this region of the country. When you get to the shallows you can then quickly unload the majority of you gear, put it on your back/ reduce canoe weight, and slide the canoes through the shoals without causing to much damage. website belongs to an official government organization in the Photos? Water Levels.Friday put on @ 12:30 was 389 cfs @ Franklin (Plenty of Water)Saturday @ 12:30 was 307 cfs @ Franklin (still plenty of water)Sunday @ 12:30 was 249 cfs @ Franklin (scrappy on the shoals and some rock scraping on some of the shallow spots.) Under the 2006 Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan,[26] over 3,000 acres (1,200ha) in the Smoke Hole area were set aside for non-motorized, primitive recreation and remote wildlife habitat. Most of the land in the Smoke Hole is managed by the Forest Service and is open to hunting and subject to West Virginia hunting regulations. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers. He served in the 3rd, 4th, 8th and 12th Virginia Regiments and was present at, Calhoun, H.M. Sr. (13 November 1930), "Tales of Historic Smoke Hole and Seneca Rocks Interestingly Told", from a column in. I took my 14ft NRS with rowing framed packed with gear and the levels ranged from 3.0 to 3.25 on that trip. Have something to add? The canyon offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with opportunities for panoramic vistas from various overlooks. A few caves in the lower gorge are developed in the Tonoloway Limestone (Silurian), as is Smoke Hole Caverns, just outside the Canyon's lower end. Smoke Hole Canyon, West Virginia, May 11 and 12, 2019 White Sulphur Springs: (304) 536-2144, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=9916&actid=29, Winter Storm Warning in Effect - Caution Advised, Helicopter Logging Begins April 1 in West Fork Timber Sale; Two Areas Closing. The South Branch of the Potomac River is sandwiched between North Mountain and Cave Mountain, creating a half-mile deep canyon with nearly vertical walls. [31], A number of small shelter caves in the Canyon are developed in the Oriskany Sandstone. The cedar glades support a number of species restricted to this part of the Appalachians including Smoke Hole bergamot a lovely, strikingly aromatic mint. The North Fork Mountain Trail follows the ridge top along the western rim of the canyon. One winter gathering of over 100,000 bats of several species constitutes the regions largest concentration of wild mammals. The main and traditional entrance into the Smoke Hole is from the south through a water gap between Big Mountain and Cave Mountain about two miles north of the community of Upper Tract. Did not see a trout after the put in at Big Bend. Here's the deal, 250 CFs is at Franklin, which is a solid ten plus miles upstream. The understory of the Canyon woodland includes such low-lying, fruit-bearing vegetation as huckleberry, blackberry, raspberry, teaberry, and wild grape. We ask all visitors to please follow any local restrictions put in place for your safety as well as guidance from the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others (social distancing). Getting a raft down Smoke Hole Canyon - Website Toolbox Awesome Canoe trip down the Smoke Hole Canyon in West Virginia! Just thought I'd follow up after looking at my notes and realizing I had mis-stated some things. Anyone ever floated the upper portion of the canyon down to Eagle Rock? Visitors can explore the canyon on foot via hiking trails, or by water via kayaking or canoeing on the river. The Civilian Conservation Corps stationed a battalion in Smoke Hole between 1934 and 1936 and constructed a popular recreation area there.
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